Data recorder system and unit for a vehicle

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a data recording unit and data recording system for use in connection with a vehicle, such as a train, a locomotive of a train, a railcar of a train, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to vehicle systems and networks, suchas railway systems including trains travelling in a track or railnetwork, and in particular to data storage and management systems andmethods for use in connection with one or more data sources or inputs,such as event recording systems and associated devices, used on or inconnection with one or more locomotives or railcars of a train.

2. Description of Related Art

Vehicle systems and networks exist throughout the world, and, at anypoint in time, a multitude of vehicles, such as cars, trucks, buses,trains, and the like, are travelling throughout the system and network.Many of these vehicles are equipped with various target devices thatmeasure, determine, and/or track certain conditions, parameters,operational states, physical data or information, and the like. Forexample, a train may include an event recorder and/or other componentsor devices that measure, determine, and/or track certain conditions orstates of the equipment of the train, such as pressure, temperature,speed, operational states, and the like, and/or conditions or states ofthe areas or environment in or around the train. These devices arenormally attached to or associated with one or more of the locomotivesof a train. Further, in another example, such event recorders and/orother components or devices are attached to or associated with a truck,a bus, or other vehicle where the conditions and states of certainpieces of equipment are or should be tracked.

With respect to railway systems, and as is known, train event recordersand recording systems receive and store train event data from a trainmanagement system and/or other components and systems of a locomotive,railcar, track network, wayside equipment, end-of-train unit,head-of-train device unit, and the like, where this information and datarelate to the operating conditions or states of the train, of the areain the train, of the area or environment around the train, and the like.Train event recording systems are designed to be crash-worthy andinclude crash-resistant housings to preserve the recorded train eventdata in the event of a crash, derailment, or other type of accident.

Train event recorders and recording systems may provide download ortransfer options to facilitate the transfer of train event data to oneor more external storage devices. In addition, the Federal RailroadAdministration (FRA), such as at 49 C.F.R. §229, requires train eventrecording systems to comply with basic specifications, such as thecrash-worthiness of the memory, although the capabilities of thesesystems can be enhanced beyond these requirements. To be in compliance,all leading locomotives of trains in the United States that travelfaster than 30 miles per hour on a United States rail network must havecrash-worthy event recording systems that record certain safety-criticalevents needed for investigating an accident.

Train event recording systems may monitor a variety of analog anddigital outputs from the train management computer, directly fromcertain target devices that output data and information, and/or fromother equipment and sources. Various existing train event recordingsystems and train management systems are shown and described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,965,312; 7,593,963; 8,420,930; 5,185,700; 7,703,291; and6,795,759; U.S. Publication Nos.: 2003/0222981; 2011/0216200;2006/0244830; 2003/0081121; and 2003/0081127; and Publication Nos.: WO2007064671; WO 2008144163; and WO 2008005620.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, provided are data recorder systems and units for a vehiclethat overcome some or all of the drawbacks and deficiencies associatedwith known data recorder systems and units. Preferably, provided aredata recorder systems and units for a vehicle that are useful inconnection with railway system and the trains travelling therein.Preferably, provided are data recorder systems and units for a vehiclethat comply with the requirements of the Federal RailroadAdministration. Preferably, provided are data recorder systems and unitsfor a vehicle that provide storage solutions and arrangements thatadequately store and protect the desired data, especially in the eventof an accident. Preferably, provided are data recorder systems and unitsfor a vehicle that provide data transfer, synchronization, and storagemethods that facilitate appropriate storage, retrieval, and usage ofdata stored therein.

According to one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is adata recorder unit for a vehicle, including: at least one data recorderenclosure configured to house at least one internal component; at leastone data processing unit located in the enclosure and configured todirectly or indirectly receive data input from at least one data sourceassociated with the vehicle; and at least one storage device in director indirect communication with the at least one data processing unit andconfigured to store data received from the at least one data processingunit; wherein the at least one storage device is at least one localstorage device located within a crash- and/or fire-proof enclosure,which is positioned within the data recorder enclosure. Further, the atleast one local storage device is in the form of a network-attachedstorage device.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is a datarecorder unit for a vehicle, including: at least one data recorderenclosure configured to house at least one internal component; at leastone data storage device comprising crash-hardened memory, the at leastone data storage device located in the enclosure; and at least one dataprocessing unit located in the enclosure and configured to directly orindirectly receive data from a plurality of data inputs and synchronizedata from the plurality of data inputs based at least partially on atleast one of the following: time data from at least one internal timesource, time data from at least one data input of the plurality of datainputs, or any combination thereof.

In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is a datarecorder unit for a vehicle, including: at least one video camera deviceconfigured to: generate video data associated with the vehicle and/orits surroundings; and wirelessly transmit at least a portion of thevideo data; and a data recorder unit, comprising: (a) at least one datarecorder enclosure configured to house at least one internal component;(b) at least one data processing unit located in the enclosure andconfigured to: (i) receive at least a portion of the video data from theat least one video camera device; (ii) process at least a portion of thevideo data; and (iii) generate processed video data based at leastpartially on the video data; and (c) at least one storage devicecomprising crash-hardened memory in direct or indirect communicationwith the at least one data processing unit and configured to store atleast a portion of at least one of the video data and the processedvideo data.

In a still further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is adata recorder system for a vehicle, including: at least one datarecorder enclosure configured to house at least one internal component;at least one data processing unit located in the enclosure andconfigured to directly or indirectly receive data input from at leastone data source associated with the vehicle; and at least one storagedevice in direct or indirect communication with the at least one dataprocessing unit and configured to store data received from the at leastone data processing unit; wherein the at least one storage devicecomprises at least one first storage device comprising at least onenon-crash-hardened memory and at least one second storage devicecomprising at least one crash-hardened memory.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is a datarecorder unit for a vehicle, including: at least one data recorderenclosure configured to house at least one internal component; at leastone data processing unit located in the enclosure and configured todirectly or indirectly receive data input from at least one data sourceassociated with the vehicle; and at least one storage device in director indirect communication with the at least one data processing unit andconfigured to store data received from the at least one data processingunit; wherein the at least one storage device comprises at least onecrash-hardened memory and/or at least one fire-resistant memory, whereinthe power dissipation of the at least one storage device is throttledbased at least partially upon a sensed temperature.

In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is a datarecorder unit for a vehicle, including: at least one data recorderenclosure configured to house at least one internal component; at leastone data processing unit located in the enclosure and configured todirectly or indirectly receive data input from at least one data sourceassociated with the vehicle; at least one storage device in direct orindirect communication with the at least one data processing unit andconfigured to store data received from the at least one data processingunit; and at least one energy storage device configured to storeelectrical energy and provide the stored electrical energy to at leastone component of the data recorder unit when a main power supply to theat least one storage device is lost, removed, or unavailable. Further,the at least one energy storage device is in electrical communicationwith the at least one data processing unit, and the at least one dataprocessing unit is configured to store, on the at least one storagedevice and using the stored electrical energy, data input from the atleast one data source after the main power supply is lost, removed, orunavailable.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is a datarecorder unit for a vehicle, including: at least one data recorderenclosure configured to house at least one internal component; at leastone data processing unit located in the enclosure and configured todirectly or indirectly receive data input from at least one data sourceassociated with the vehicle; at least one storage device in direct orindirect communication with the at least one data processing unit andconfigured to store data received from the at least one data processingunit; and at least one energy storage device configured to storeelectrical energy and provide the stored electrical energy to at leastone component of the data recorder unit when a main power supply to theat least one storage device is lost, removed, or unavailable. Further,the at least one data source comprises at least one video camera inelectrical communication with at least one second energy storage device,and the at least one video camera is configured to transmit video datato the data recorder unit when a power supply to the at least one videocamera is lost or removed using stored energy from the at least onesecond energy storage device.

These and other features and characteristics of the present invention,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structures and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As usedin the specification and the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and“the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a data recorder unit andsystem according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a data recorder unitand system according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of a data recorderunit and system according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a still further embodiment of a datarecorder unit and system according to the principles of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a data recorder unitand system according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment of a data recorder unitand system according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a further embodiment of a data recorderunit and system according to the principles of the present invention;and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a still further embodiment of a datarecorder unit and system according to the principles of the presentinvention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”,“right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”,“longitudinal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention asit is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understoodthat the invention may assume various alternative variations and stepsequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is alsoto be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated inthe attached drawings, and described in the following specification, aresimply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specificdimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodimentsdisclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.

As used herein, the terms “communication” and “communicate” refer to thereceipt, transmission, or transfer of one or more signals, e.g.,electrical signals, electricity, current, energy, and the like,messages, commands, and/or type of signal or data. For one unit ordevice to be in communication with another unit or device means that theone unit or device is able to receive signals or data from and/ortransmit signals or data to the other unit or device. A communicationmay use a direct or indirect connection, and may be wired and/orwireless in nature. Additionally, two units or devices may be incommunication with each other even though the signals or datatransmitted may be modified, processed, routed, etc., between the firstand second unit or device. For example, a first unit may be incommunication with a second unit even though the first unit passivelyreceives signals or data, and does not actively transmit signals or datato the second unit. As another example, a first unit may be incommunication with a second unit if an intermediary unit processessignals or data from one unit and transmits processed signals or data tothe second unit. It will be appreciated that numerous other arrangementsare possible. Any known electronic communication protocols and/oralgorithms may be used such as, for example, TCP/IP (including HTTP andother protocols), WLAN (including 802.11 and other radio frequency-basedprotocols and methods), analog transmissions, and/or the like. Further,and as used hereinafter, the term “electrical communication”specifically refers to the transmission of electrical signals (e.g.,electricity, current, energy, and the like) between two or more units ordevices.

The terms “data recorder unit” and “data recorder system”, as usedinterchangeably herein, may refer to any data recording unit for avehicle, and in one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, refer to atrain event recorder and/or train event recording system, which mayrefer to any event recording device or system used on a locomotive,railcar, or train that records train event data. The data recorder unitand data recorder system may include one or more hardware and/orsoftware components in communication with one or more components and/orsystems, i.e., data sources, of a vehicle, including a train or railway,such as, but not limited to, a train management computer, ahead-of-train unit, an end-of-train unit, wayside equipment, operatorinterfaces and/or other like systems and components. In this context,the data recorder unit and/or data recorder system according to thepresent invention can be used to receive, process, record and/or storedata representing information about locomotives, railcars, waysideequipment, track signals, and/or train operators including, but notlimited to, velocity, brake pressure, error signals, system states,prompts and user inputs, mandatory directives, movement authoritysignals, warnings and enforcement information, direction of travel,distance traveled, throttle position, brake operation, headlight status,horn operation, cab signals, audio data, video data, and/or the like, aswell as data and information directed to the internal and/or externalsurroundings or environment in or around the train, the railcars, thelocomotive, and the like. In addition to train event recorders installedin a locomotive and in communication with a train management computer,event recorders may also include railcar event recorders such as thatdescribed by U.S. Pat. No. 7,769,509 to Gaughan et al., the entirety ofwhich is incorporated by reference herein.

The present invention is directed to a data recorder system 1 and datarecorder unit 10 that are useful in connection with data recordingsystems for vehicles. As discussed above, and in one preferred andnon-limiting embodiment, the data recorder system 1 and data recorderunit 10 according to the present invention are used on or in connectionwith a locomotive and/or train. As such, the data recorder system 1 anddata recorder unit 10 may be integrated with or used in connection withnew or existing train event recorders and train event recording systems.Various preferred and non-limiting embodiments of the data recordersystem 1 and data recorder unit 10 according to the present inventionare illustrated in schematic form in FIGS. 1-8.

With specific reference to FIG. 1, and in one preferred and non-limitingembodiment, provided is a data recorder unit 10 for a vehicle (nowshown), such as a locomotive or train. The data recorder unit 10includes at least one data recorder enclosure 12 that is configured tohouse certain internal components, as discussed hereinafter. This datarecorder enclosure 12 is sized, shaped, or configured to be attached toand/or integrated with various portions of the vehicle, such as in thelocomotive of a train. Typically, the data recorder unit 10 is attachedto or integrated with the locomotive in such a way that it would surviveany accident or incident involving the train, and recovered at the scenein order to extract the data and gain a better understanding of theconditions or states of the train, its various components, and/or thevehicle internal or external surroundings or environment.

At least one data processing unit 14 is located in the recorderenclosure 12 and programmed or configured to directly or indirectlyreceive data input from at least one, and typically multiple, datasources DS, which are associated with the vehicle or its surroundings.In addition, at least one storage device 16 is in direct or indirectcommunication with the data processing unit 14 and configured to storedata received from the data processing unit 14. In this preferred andnon-limiting embodiment, the storage device 16 is in the form of acrash-hardened solid-state storage device that is located within acrash- and/or fire-proof enclosure 18. It will be appreciated that thesolid-state storage device may also be non-crash-hardened. Inparticular, this crash- and/or fire-proof enclosure 18 is positionedwithin the data recorder enclosure 12. In this manner, the storagedevice 16 is further protected, i.e., beyond the protection from thedata recorder enclosure 12, in the event of a crash, fire, accident, orother incident involving the vehicle. This provides a further level ofprotection to the data that is received by the data processing unit 14and stored on the storage device 16; again, for use in data analysisbefore, during, or after the event. For example, data extraction fromthe storage device 16 may occur at any time, but typically occurs eitheron a periodic basis or after some incident has occurred.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, and as illustrated inFIG. 2, the data recorder unit 10 includes a local storage device 20,which is in direct or indirect communication with at least one networkstorage device 22. In operation, some or all of the data input that isprovided by the data processing unit 14 to the local storage device 20is wirelessly transferred to the network storage device 22 on a dynamicbasis, periodic basis, pre-determined basis, substantially continualbasis, or any combination thereof. In this manner, if there is acatastrophic vehicle incident, where the data recorder unit 10 isunrecoverable or completely destroyed, the data is still availablethrough the network storage device 22. In another preferred andnon-limiting embodiment, the network storage device 22 is a remotestorage device, and may also be in the form of a virtual memory of orstorage device accessible through wireless or network communication.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the local storagedevice 20 includes or is in the form of a network-attached storagedevice. In this example, the local storage device 20 may have a logicalpartition dedicated and/or configured to act as local storage, and alogical partition dedicated and/or configured to act as network storage.The network storage partition may be made available to other devices incommunication with a network. In this embodiment, it is envisioned thatonly specific data inputs and/or outputs could be saved to or used bythe logical partition dedicated and/or configured as network-attachedstorage.

In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the local storage device 20is in the form of a crash-hardened memory, which complies with specifiedFRA rules and regulations. However, it will be appreciated thatnon-crash-hardened memory may also be used and that, in somenon-limiting embodiments, both crash-hardened and non-crash-hardenedmemory may be used. Similarly, and in a further preferred andnon-limiting embodiment, the local storage device 20 is located within acrash- and/or fire-proof enclosure 18, which is positioned within thedata recorder enclosure 12. In another preferred and non-limitingembodiment, the data source DS is in the form of a video camera VC orsimilar visual capture device, and the data processing unit 14 isconfigured or programmed to transmit or cause a transmission of videodata to the network storage device 22.

With reference to FIG. 3, and in another preferred and non-limitingembodiment, the data recorder unit 10 includes at least one internaltime source 24. In this embodiment, the data processing unit 14 isprogrammed or configured to synchronize data from the variety of datainputs based at least partially on this internal time source 24. Usingthe internal time source 24 to synchronize data across some or all ofthe data streams provides accurate playback and analysis of the incomingdata. These data inputs may be in the form of a variety of interfaces orports 26. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, these data inputs mayinclude an Ethernet input, a serial input, a parallel input, a wirelessinterface, an Ethernet interface, a serial interface, a parallelinterface, an Ethernet port, a serial port, and/or a parallel port. Inaddition, it should be noted that these data inputs (as well as the datasources DS discussed above) may provide data to the data processing unit14 in a hardwired or wireless and/or direct or indirect form.Accordingly, the data processing unit 14 includes the necessary programs(and the data recorder unit 10 includes the necessary internalcomponents) to receive hardwired and/or wireless data input. In anotherpreferred and non-limiting embodiment, the internal time source 24 willbe in the form of a separate time reference that may be synchronized tosome external locomotive or vehicle source.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the data issynchronized across multiple data inputs using at least a portion of thetime data (e.g., a timestamp or other time-informative data) from atleast one data input or data sources DS. For example, the time data fromone specified data input may be used in synchronizing data from anotherdata input (or multiple other data inputs) to ensure complete andaccurate synchronization across multiple data inputs. Further, the timedata from any of the data inputs or data sources DS, and/or theabove-discussed internal time source 24, may be stored or recorded at oron the data recorder unit 12. The use of the time data to synchronizeacross multiple data inputs or data sources DS facilitates the abilityto specify how data is retrieved, synchronized, or otherwise used.

In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, and with continued referenceto FIG. 3, the independent time source 24 may be used to synchronizedata received that has independent, external time data. For example, adata source may provide video data that is associated with time datafrom an independent time source (e.g., a time source internal to a videocamera or other device). To synchronize all or a portion of the datareceived by the data recorder unit 10, the data processing unit 14 isprogrammed or configured to compare time data associated with one ormore data sources to determine if the various times are synchronized.For example, the data processing unit 14 may determine that clocks orother time sources of one or more data sources are not insynchronization with each other or with the internal time source 24 ofthe data recorder unit 10. In a further non-limiting embodiment, two ormore data sources may be recorded to separate partitions of the storagedevice 16. In this example, the recorded data in the separate partitionsmay be synchronized by using the internal time source 24. Further, thissynchronization information and data may be transmitted or distributedto other control systems or data repositories, such as an on-boardcomputer of a train, a back office server of a railroad, or some otherremote system.

In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, and as illustratedin FIG. 4, the data recorder system 1 includes one or more video cameradevices 28 (i.e., a video or visual data capture device), which areconfigured to generate video data associated with the vehicle and/or itsinternal or external surroundings or environment, and transmit at leasta portion of this video data wirelessly and/or through hardwiredconnections. This video data may include raw data, formatted data,pre-processed data, and the like. In this embodiment, the dataprocessing unit 14 is programmed or configured to receive at least aportion of the video data from the video camera device 28, process atleast a portion of this raw video data, and generate processed videodata based at least partially on the video data. Further, at least aportion of this video data and/or processed video data is stored on thestorage device 16. In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, thestorage device 16 is in the form of a solid-state storage device, whichis located within a crash- and/or fire-proof enclosure 18, which is, inturn, positioned within the data recorder enclosure 12. In one preferredand non-limiting embodiment, the data processing unit 14 will include orbe based upon a Linux recording application for a standard networkcamera.

In a preferred and non-limiting embodiment, and with continued referenceto FIG. 4, at least one video camera 28 may be an Internet protocol (IP)camera, and the video data captured by the video camera 28 may betransmitted to the data recorder unit 10 wirelessly over a networkconnection. The video camera 28 and/or the data recorder unit 10 mayinclude a wireless interface to transmit and/or receive data wirelessly.For example, a wireless Ethernet interface on the data recorder unit 10may receive video data from the video camera 28 over a network. Further,the data recorder unit 10 may include an Ethernet interface with whichthe video camera 28 (or other data source DS) is in wired communication.In some non-limiting embodiments, this video data may be saved to apartition of the storage device 16 configured as network-attachedstorage. However, it will be appreciated that the connection may also behardwired. In non-limiting embodiments, the network connection is bothwired and wireless. In such embodiments, the hardwired connection may beused to transmit video data in the event that a network connection islost, removed, or unavailable. For example, a power outage may affectnetwork devices such as routers and/or switches and a hardwiredconnection may allow for continued transmission of video data despitesuch outages.

In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, and with referenceto FIG. 5, the storage device 16 includes at least one first storagedevice 30 in the form of at least one solid-state storage device, and atleast one second storage device 32 that is in the form of at least onecrash-hardened memory. In a further preferred and non-limitingembodiment, the solid-state storage device is a removable solid-statestorage device, and the data processing unit 14 is configured to storeall or a portion of a specified data set or certain information on thisremovable solid-state storage device, such as from a “bulk data” datasource DS. Further, in this embodiment, the second storage device 32 isconfigured to store all or a portion of specified critical data orinformation from a critical data source DS that is in communication withthe data processing unit 14.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, and in another preferred and non-limitingembodiment, the storage device 16 includes the first storage device 30and the second storage device 32. However, in this embodiment, the firststorage device 30 is in the form of at least one crash-hardened memory34, and the second storage device 32 is in the form of at least onenon-crash-hardened memory 36. In this embodiment, the data processingunit 14 is configured to initially transfer or store data on the firststorage device 30, and at least a portion of this data is then cached onthe second storage device 32. This cached data may representauthenticated data, encrypted data, verified data, digitally-signeddata, specified data, critical data, and/or dynamic data. In addition,in this embodiment, the second storage device 32 is configured for wiredor wireless transmission of at least a portion of this cached data to atleast one download device 38. Further, in this embodiment, the firststorage device 30 and/or the second storage device 32 may be in the formof at least one solid-state storage device. By using this cachingstorage methodology, the cached data is more readily accessible and moreeasily (and quickly) downloadable to the download device 38.

Moreover, according to another non-limiting embodiment, an arrangementusing both crash-hardened memory 34 and non-crash-hardened memory 36allows for inexpensive non-crash-hardened memory 36 to be used forrecording non-critical data. Additionally, and as explained above, theuse of separate data storage devices 30, 32 may allow for the mostrecent data to be cached on the crash-hardened memory 34 whilenon-recent data is stored and continuously over-written on thenon-crash-hardened memory 36. In such embodiments, in the event of anaccident, the most recently recorded video data pertaining to theaccident will be preserved on the crash-hardened storage device 32. Themost current and/or recent video data may be determined by a storagecapacity of the second storage device 32 and/or a predetermined orspecified duration of time (e.g., minutes and/or seconds of video data).The existing data on the crash-hardened memory 36 may be overwritten inthe order in which it was recorded in a first in, first out manner,using the crash-hardened memory 36 as a data stack or data buffer.

In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the data recorderunit 10 or another device in communication with the data recorder unit10 is programmed or configured to detect an event. Such an event mayinclude, for example, an emergency brake application, an indication orsignal from a Positive Train Control (PTC) system, a rapid deceleration,and/or a detection of an impact or derailment based on accelerometer,gyroscope, and/or impact sensor data. In response to detecting an event,or receiving a signal or other indication that an event has occurred,the data processing unit 14 may continue caching data received andprevent at least a portion of the data stored on the storage device 16from being overwritten. For example, and with reference to FIG. 6, inresponse to the occurrence of an event, the data recorder unit 10 mayprevent some or all of the data cached on a crash-hardened storagedevice 32 from being overwritten by newly-received data, and maycontinue caching the newly-received data until a maximum capacity of thecrash-hardened storage device 32 has been reached or until a specifiedtime.

With reference to FIG. 7, and in another preferred and non-limitingembodiment, the data recorder unit 10 includes a storage device 16 thatmay be crash-hardened memory 34 and/or fire-resistant memory. In thisembodiment, the power dissipation of the storage device 16 can beadjusted or throttled based at least partially upon a sensed temperatureof the storage device 16 and/or data recorder unit 10. In particular,this sensed temperature may be generated by or derived from at least onetemperature sensor 40 located on or within (or adjacent to) the datarecorder unit 10. In particular, and in one preferred and non-limitingembodiment, the power dissipation is throttled as temperature increases.In addition, in this embodiment, the storage device 16 may be in theform of at least one solid-state storage device.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, the power dissipation of the storagedevice 16 may be throttled in numerous ways to maintain or adjust thetemperature below a specified or predetermined threshold. For example,the power may be dissipated by discarding non-critical data, temporarilybuffering data without recording it to the storage device 16, storingnon-critical data on at least one other storage device, and/or adjustinga flow of data to reduce the amount of non-critical data recorded on thestorage device 16. Data that is temporarily buffered rather thanrecorded to the storage device 16 for which the power dissipation isbeing throttled or adjusted may be recorded to the storage device 16 ata later time when the temperature is lowered or otherwise reaches anacceptable level. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the artthat the power dissipation of the storage device 16 may be throttled invarious other ways in response to the detection of a temperature thatequals or exceeds a specified or predetermined threshold or maximumtemperature.

A still further preferred and non-limiting embodiment is illustrated inFIG. 8. In this embodiment, the data recorder unit 10 includes at leastone energy storage device 42. The energy storage device 42 may include,for example, one or more super capacitors, one or more batteries, or anyother like device that can store energy. The energy storage device 42may allow for the data recorder unit 10 to continue operation after amain power supply has been lost, removed, or otherwise made unavailable.For example, in the event of an accident that damages or affects a mainpower supply, the various components of the data recorder unit 10 mayoperate using power from the energy storage device 42 to continuerecording data. This back-up power supply may prevent data corruption byallowing a recordation process to complete. The data processing unit 14may be programmed or configured to facilitate a graceful shutdown of thedata recorder unit 10 using energy stored on the energy storage device42. In a further non-limiting embodiment, the data processing unit 14may be programmed or configured to detect a loss of power from a mainpower supply and, in response to detecting the loss of power, initiate areduced power mode in which only critical data is stored on the storagedevice 16. In this way, the energy stored on the energy storage device42 can be conserved to allow for continued operation of the datarecorder unit 10.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, and in a further preferred andnon-limiting embodiment, the data processing unit 14 is programmed orconfigured to determine, generate, derive, or cause to be stored on thestorage device 16 the date and/or the time based on a date and/or timeretained on volatile memory. The date and/or time may therefore bepreserved if a main power supply is lost, removed, or becomes otherwiseunavailable by using the energy storage device 42. The energy storagedevice 42 may also help preserve the date and/or time between powercycles. The energy storage device 42 may be positioned within the datarecorder unit 10 as shown in FIG. 8 or, in other non-limitingembodiments, may be positioned elsewhere and in electrical communicationwith any of the components, e.g., the data processing device 14, thestorage device 16, etc., of the data recorder unit 10.

In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, and with referenceto FIG. 4, one or more video cameras 28 may also include or be inelectrical communication with an energy storage device, such as but notlimited to a super capacitor or battery. The energy storage deviceassociated with the video camera 28 may be internal or external to thevideo camera 28 and may store an amount of energy sufficient to continuepowering the video camera 28 in the event that a main power supply islost, removed, or otherwise becomes unavailable. In this way, the datarecorder unit 10 may continue receiving and storing video data from thevideo camera 28 even after an accident has occurred and a main powersupply is unavailable. As explained above, the video camera 28 may alsotransmit the video data over a hardwired connection in response to aloss of power or a loss of a wireless network connection that may resultfrom an accident.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the data recorder unit10 is mechanically compatible with a five MCU LSI rack mount, andpowered by standard 74 VDC locomotive power, but also configured toaccept nominal voltages of 32 VDC and 110 VDC. In this embodiment, thedata recorder unit 10 includes military-style, high-reliabilityconnectors and M12 Industrial Ethernet connectors. Various indicatorsare provided on the data recorder unit 10 to indicate power,self-diagnostics, recording, and/or link status. In this embodiment, thedata recorder unit 10 includes a certified DOT Crashworthy memory, andis operable or configurable through a browser-based configuration anddownload program, which may be a local program on the data processingunit 14, or a remote program on some other computer or device. In thisembodiment, the data recorder unit 10 includes a serial port for LegacyLink connection to existing data recorder units for retrofitapplications.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the crash-worthymemory module of the data recorder unit 10 is capable of storing atleast 96 GB of data and video, and includes a video data partition andan FRA/PTC data partition. The video data partition is used forreceiving data from two video cameras VC at 450 KB/s each for 24 hours,which would normally utilize approximately 78 GB of storage. The FRA/PTCdata partition allows for the storage of 48 hours of information, i.e.,specified data and information.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, a three-memory storagedevice 16 is used and includes a crash-hardened memory 34 for all of theFRA/PTC data elements. In addition, a crash-hardened memory 34 is usedto store video data prior to an incident, and an 8 GB video partitionwill provide complete protection of about 2.5 hours of the most recentvideo data. In addition, an industrial-rated memory of about 96 GB isused to store extended video data in a solid-state memory that hasenhanced temperature and vibration robustness for reliable long-termrecording in an industrial environment. In particular, in thisembodiment, the crash-hardened memory 34 would utilize a 16 GB memorymodule with the appropriate partitions for data storage.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the data processingunit 14 uses the Intel Atom processor board running at 1.3 GHz with 1 GBof SDRAM. This data processing unit 14 exhibits the appropriateprocessing power to handle streaming video, and the processor support,in this embodiment, is based on PCI-e expansion buses, which are used toprovide the Ethernet and memory port peripherals. A Linux operatingsystem can be used to permit utilization of industry standard and knownnetwork software components. In this embodiment, three Ethernet portsare provided as support to on-board networks, as per S-9101B, andprovide a third port for streaming video.

In a still further and non-limiting embodiment, and with reference toFIG. 2, the local storage device 20 and/or network storage device 22 isin the form of a network-attached storage device that uses the NetworkFile System (NFS) protocol. The video application, whether on the videocamera VC or the data processing unit 14 will store or cause to bestored data in its own format, as needed. The transport layer(Transmission Control Protocol (TCP)) can be used for ensuring delivery,delivery sequence, and that the data has not been modified duringtransmission. The video application, again whether on a video camera VCor on the data processing unit 14, stores files to the mapped drive ofthe network-attached storage device.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, time synchronizationfor the data, such as the video data, will be implemented using thePrecision Time Protocol (PTP). The data processing unit 14 may act asthe master device or control, and the video application on the videocamera VC will act as the slave device or control. In this embodiment, atime reference, e.g., such as through the use of an internal time source24, will be provided to the video camera VC to allow for synchronizationof data between the video camera VC (or video application) and otherdata applications, and in order to allow synchronization duringplayback.

In this manner, provided is a data recorder system 1 and data recorderunit 10 that provide improved storage and synchronization methods andarrangements for event recording devices. The data recorder system 1 anddata recorder unit 10 of the present invention are useful in connectionwith railway systems and the trains traveling therein, and preferablycomply with the requirements of the Federal Railroad Administration. Inaddition, the data recorder system 1 and data recorder unit 10 providestorage solutions and arrangements that adequately store and protect thedesired data, especially in the event of an accident. In addition, thedata recorder system 1 and data recorder unit 10 provide for datatransfer, synchronization, and storage methods that facilitateappropriate retrieval and usage of data stored therein.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that suchdetail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limitedto the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covermodifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit andscope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood thatthe present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one ormore features of any embodiment can be combined with one or morefeatures of any other embodiment.

What is claimed is:
 1. A data recorder unit for a vehicle, comprising:at least one data recorder enclosure configured to house at least oneinternal component; at least one data processing unit located in theenclosure and configured to directly or indirectly receive data inputfrom at least one data source associated with the vehicle; and at leastone storage device in direct or indirect communication with the at leastone data processing unit and configured to store data received from theat least one data processing unit; wherein the at least one storagedevice comprises at least one first storage device comprising at leastone non-crash-hardened memory and at least one second storage devicecomprising at least one crash-hardened memory, and wherein the at leastone data processing unit is configured to store at least a portion ofthe data on the at least one non-crash-hardened memory and the at leastone crash-hardened memory substantially in parallel.
 2. The datarecorder unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one first storage devicecomprises a solid-state storage device.
 3. The data recorder unit ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one data processing unit is configured torecord over existing recorded data on the at least one crash-hardenedmemory when at least one of the following occurs: the at least onecrash-hardened memory has reached capacity, a predetermined amount ofdata has been recorded, a predetermined duration of video data has beenrecorded, or any combination thereof, wherein the existing data on theat least one crash-hardened memory is recorded over in an order in whichit was recorded.
 4. The data recorder unit of claim 3, wherein the atleast one data processing unit is configured to detect an accident and,in response to detecting the accident, stop recording over existingrecorded data on the at least one crash-hardened memory.
 5. The datarecorder unit of claim 4, wherein the at least one data processing unitis configured to detect the accident based at least partially on atleast one of the following: emergency brake application, rapiddeceleration, accelerometer data, impact sensor data, an indication froma positive train control (PTC) system, or any combination thereof. 6.The data recorder unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one data sourceassociated with the vehicle comprises at least one video camera, andwherein the at least one video camera comprises at least one of thefollowing: a wired video camera, a wireless Internet protocol (IP) videocamera, a wireless interface, or any combination thereof.
 7. The datarecorder unit of claim 1, wherein a capacity of the at least one firststorage device is greater than a capacity of the at least one secondstorage device, and wherein the at least one data processing unit isconfigured to store data on the at least one first storage device andthe at least one second storage device substantially in parallel, suchthat data stored on the at least one first storage device is inclusiveof data stored on the at least one second storage device.
 8. The datarecorder unit of claim 1, wherein the at least one data processing unitis configured to initially store data on the at least one first storagedevice, and wherein at least a portion of the data is cached on the atleast one second storage device.
 9. The data recorder unit of claim 8,wherein at least a portion of the cached data is at least one of thefollowing: authenticated, encrypted, verified, digitally-signed,specified data, critical data, dynamic data, or any combination thereof.10. The data recorder unit of claim 8, wherein the at least one dataprocessing unit is configured to cache a specified amount of currentdata, and overwrite existing non-current data.
 11. The data recorderunit of claim 1, wherein the at least one second storage device isconfigured for wired or wireless transmission of at least a portion ofthe cached data to at least one download device.
 12. The data recorderunit of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-crash-hardened memory isremovable.
 13. A data recorder unit for a vehicle, comprising: at leastone data recorder enclosure configured to house at least one internalcomponent; at least one data processing unit located in the enclosureand configured to directly or indirectly receive data input from atleast one data source associated with the vehicle; and at least onestorage device in direct or indirect communication with the at least onedata processing unit and configured to store data received from the atleast one data processing unit; wherein the at least one storage devicecomprises at least one first storage device comprising at least onenon-crash-hardened memory and at least one second storage devicecomprising at least one crash-hardened memory, and wherein the at leastone non-crash-hardened memory is removable, wherein the at least onedata processing unit is configured to store at least a portion of thedata on the at least one non-crash-hardened memory and the at least onecrash-hardened memory substantially in parallel.
 14. The data recorderunit of claim 13, wherein the at least one first storage devicecomprises a solid-state storage device.
 15. The data recorder unit ofclaim 13, wherein the at least one data processing unit is configured tostore non-critical data in the at least one non-crash-hardened memory,and specified critical data in the at least one crash-hardened memory.16. The data recorder unit of claim 13, wherein the at least one dataprocessing unit is configured to record over existing recorded data onthe at least one crash-hardened memory when at least one of thefollowing occurs: the at least one crash-hardened memory has reachedcapacity, a predetermined amount of data has been recorded, apredetermined duration of video data has been recorded, or anycombination thereof, wherein the existing data on the at least onecrash-hardened memory is recorded over in an order in which it wasrecorded.
 17. The data recorder unit of claim 16, wherein the at leastone data processing unit is configured to detect an accident and, inresponse to detecting the accident, stop recording over existingrecorded data on the at least one crash-hardened memory.
 18. The datarecorder unit of claim 17, wherein the at least one data processing unitis configured to detect the accident based at least partially on atleast one of the following: emergency brake application, rapiddeceleration, accelerometer data, impact sensor data, an indication froma positive train control (PTC) system, or any combination thereof. 19.The data recorder unit of claim 13, wherein the at least one data sourceassociated with the vehicle comprises at least one video camera, andwherein the at least one video camera comprises at least one of thefollowing: a wired video camera, a wireless Internet protocol (IP) videocamera, a wireless interface, or any combination thereof.
 20. The datarecorder unit of claim 13, wherein a capacity of the at least one firststorage device is greater than a capacity of the at least one secondstorage device, and wherein the at least one data processing unit isconfigured to store data on the at least one first storage device andthe at least one second storage device substantially in parallel, suchthat data stored on the at least one first storage device is inclusiveof data stored on the at least one second storage device.
 21. The datarecorder unit of claim 13, wherein the at least one data processing unitis configured to initially store data on the at least one first storagedevice, and wherein at least a portion of the data is cached on the atleast one second storage device.
 22. The data recorder unit of claim 21,wherein at least a portion of the cached data is at least one of thefollowing: authenticated, encrypted, verified, digitally-signed,specified data, critical data, dynamic data, or any combination thereof.23. The data recorder unit of claim 21, wherein the at least one dataprocessing unit is configured to cache a specified amount of currentdata, and overwrite existing non-current data.
 24. The data recorderunit of claim 13, wherein the at least one second storage device isconfigured for wired or wireless transmission of at least a portion ofthe cached data to at least one download device.
 25. A data recorderunit for a vehicle, comprising: at least one data recorder enclosureconfigured to house at least one internal component; at least one dataprocessing unit located in the enclosure and configured to directly orindirectly receive data input from at least one data source associatedwith the vehicle; and at least one storage device in direct or indirectcommunication with the at least one data processing unit and configuredto store data received from the at least one data processing unit;wherein the at least one storage device comprises at least one firststorage device comprising at least one non-crash-hardened memory and atleast one second storage device comprising at least one crash-hardenedmemory, and wherein the at least one data processing unit is configuredto store non-critical data in the at least one non-crash-hardenedmemory, and specified critical data in the at least one crash-hardenedmemory, wherein the at least one data processing unit is configured tostore at least a portion of the data on the at least onenon-crash-hardened memory and the at least one crash-hardened memorysubstantially in parallel.
 26. A data recorder unit for a vehiclecomprising: at least one first storage device comprising at least onenon-crash-hardened memory; at least one second storage device comprisingat least one crash-hardened memory; and at least one non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising program instructions that, whenexecuted by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:(a) directly or indirectly receive data input from at least one datasource associated with the vehicle; and (b) store at least a portion ofthe data on the at least one non-crash-hardened memory and the at leastone crash-hardened memory substantially in parallel.
 27. The datarecorder unit of claim 26, wherein the at least one non-crash-hardenedmemory is removable.
 28. A data recorder unit for a vehicle comprising:at least one data processing unit configured to directly or indirectlyreceive data input from at least one data source associated with thevehicle; at least one first storage device in communication with the atleast one data processing unit, the at least one first storage devicecomprising at least one non-crash-hardened memory; and at least onesecond storage device in communication with at least one data processingunit, the at least one second storage device comprising at least onecrash-hardened memory, wherein the at least one data processing unit isconfigured to store at least a portion of the data on the at least onenon-crash-hardened memory and the at least one crash-hardened memorysubstantially in parallel.
 29. The data recorder unit of claim 28,wherein the at least one non-crash-hardened memory is removable.
 30. Amethod of storing data on a data recorder unit for a vehicle, the datarecorder unit comprising at least one data processing unit, a firststorage device, and a second storage device, comprising: receiving, withthe at least one data processing unit, data from at least one datasource associated with a vehicle; storing, with the at least one dataprocessing unit, at least a portion of the data received from the atleast one data source on the first storage device, the first storagedevice comprising a non-crash-hardened memory; and storing, with the atleast one data processing unit and substantially in parallel withstoring the at least a portion of the data on the first storage device,at least a portion of the data received from the at least one datasource on the second storage device, the second storage devicecomprising at least one crash-hardened memory.